Flourishing programs in 90+ disciplines. A vibrant Christian mission. $50 million
in new campus construction. Championship athletics. 94% placement within 6 months
of graduation. There’s never been a better time to consider Hope College.

As a member of the MIAA and NCAA Division III associations, Hope College sponsors
22 varsity sports for men and women. The college is home to the 2014 NCAA Division
III National Championship women’s volleyball team.

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Dr. Eric Mann

Eric Mann has been as an assistant professor of mathematics education at Hope College
since 2013.

Professional Experience

Eric’s journey first began with his time in the Air Force, retiring as a Lieutenant
Colonel after a career working with various space systems. His time in the service
included a tour at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, where he participated in the Space
Shuttle Flight Test Program and was the lead flight design integration engineer for
the maiden voyage of the Space Shuttle Challenger.

After the Air Force, Eric taught elementary and middle school math and science for
seven years in New England before heading to the University of Connecticut to earn
his Ph.D.

As a research associate at the National Center on the Gifted and Talented he was part
of the professional development team for Project M3: Mentoring Mathematical Minds.

Next stop was the College of Education at Purdue University, where Eric spent eight
years working with the Institute for Pre-College Engineering (INSPIRE) and the Gifted
Education Research Institute (GERI) on finding and developing talent in science, technology,
engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The chance to return to Michigan and focus on developing elementary teachers who appreciate
the beauty and creativity in mathematics and who have the knowledge and skills to
share their appreciation with their future students brought Eric to Hope College.

Along these lines, Eric’s research focuses on ways to improve the effective delivery
of the mathematical content and ways to effect shifts in dispositions of those who
have negative experiences with mathematics. On a broader scale, he is interested in
an integrated approach to STEM education with a focus on critical and creative thinking
in the elementary grades.

Areas of Expertise

Pedagogical and specialized content knowledge necessary for the effective teaching
of elementary mathematics

Creativity in the STEM disciplines — Identification, assessment and development

Education of the Gifted and Talented child — These children come from a wide range
of backgrounds and experiences; they possess talents and unique needs that set them
apart from their age group peers and often go unmet in typical classroom settings

Education

Ph.D., educational psychology, University of Connecticut, 2005

M.A., elementary education, The Colorado College, 1997

M.S., systems management, University of Southern California, 1980

B.A., mathematics, Albion College, 1974

Honors and Awards

Faculty Award of Excellence Team Award: Institute for P-12 Engineering Research and
Learning (INSPIRE), Purdue University, College of Engineering, 2011